Govt. calls bids for 3rd phase of Central Expressway construction

Thursday, 25 August 2016 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Following a proposal made by Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella, the Government expects to call for bids and proposals to select a contractor and consultant for construction work on the third phase of the Central Expressway which will extend for 32.5 km from Pothuhera to Galagedara.

The Cabinet approved the proposal on Tuesday, according to Cabinet Co-Spokesman Minister Gayantha Karunathilake. He added that the recommendations to call for bids and proposals were made by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management. In addition, the Cabinet approved another proposal made by Kiriella to call for technical and financial proposals from companies recommended by the Chinese Government to build the proposed Ratnapura Expressway from the Kahathuduwa Interchange of the Southern Expressway to Pelmadulla. The 73.9-km-long expressway will be funded by the EXIM Bank of China and will be constructed as a four-part construction, Karunathilake added.

Meanwhile, the Government expects to construct the road in a downstream development area under the Moragahakanda-Kaluganga development project.

Karunathilake revealed that the development of irrigation and infrastructure in the downstream area was important to resettle people affected by the project and to gain its full benefits.

Accordingly, the proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena, in his capacity as the Mahaweli Development and Environment Minister, awarding the contracts for the construction of the Moragahakanda-Wellawela Road, which is 6.37 km long, the Medirigiriya-Kantale Road via Agbopura, which extends for 8.5 km, and roads inside New Laggala town, had been approved by the Cabinet.